When I arrived there was a large rectangular hole in the ground, full of concrete blocks and lumps of burning wood being stoked by several fellas. I spoke to a few of them briefly - Tala, Solo and Sio. While all were obliging in telling me about themselves, I could tell they were eager to get back to the pit.

This, I was told later, is the way the Tongans traditionally cook food, while the Samoans cook above the ground. This difference aside, what was really apparent throughout the day was the incredible unity within the Pacific Islander community in Newcastle, which is made up of so many different nations, cultures and religions.

Within a couple of hours I'd spoken to a dozen people and heard personal stories from many.

Not everyone was keen to speak to me and a few shied away from my camera and voice recorder but everyone was extremely friendly, warm and welcoming.

The first of my interviewees was Newcastle Samoa Rugby Union star Tala Filipo. Like many islanders, Tala's parents emigrated from Samoa to New Zealand and then to Australia. He told me why the strong ties within the Samoan community have been so important to him as a young person growing up in Australia.

Next was Solo Tufi. Solo says being part of such a close-knit community in Newcastle means that everyone looks after each other. When the 2009 Sunami hit Samoa, the Samoan community in Newcastle rallied to raise funds and provide aid to those who were suffering.

Sio Sefu told me about his childhood memories of growing up in Tonga, swimming, fishing and riding horses everyday after school.

I found talking to Reverend Setu Amosa very humbling and his concern for the welfare of his countrymen and fellow islanders inspiring.

Mary-Anne Hawson is a dynamic young Tongan woman who reconnected with her culture through dance at the age of eighteen and now teaches others.

And finally, Eva Vakameilalo, a free-spirited Tongan-Irish woman who has lived all over the world and is forging her own path in life.

I hope you enjoy reading their stories. My only regret is that I didn't have longer to spend speaking with each person so that I could delve deeper into some of the fascinating family histories I heard just a little about.